Hawk-Headed Handle
ca. 1938-1759 B.C.E.
Maker Unknown
Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art
Votive animal mummies were associated with the king of the realm of the dead, Osiris, while his son, the hawk-headed Horus, was his successor on earth.
Osiris became the prototype for proper death because he was the first to be mummified and achieved eternal life in the next world. Thus all mummies of humans and animals imitated the mummification process and form followed to reanimate Osiris in the next world.
Osiris became the prototype for proper death because he was the first to be mummified and achieved eternal life in the next world. Thus all mummies of humans and animals imitated the mummification process and form followed to reanimate Osiris in the next world.
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Arms and Armor
- Formatted Medium
- Wood, garnet (?), gold, pigment
- Dynasty
- Dynasty 12
- Period
- Middle Kingdom
- Dimensions
- 3 11/16 x 1 5/8 x 1 1/4 in. (9.3 x 4.2 x 3.1 cm)
- Accession Number
- 14.660
- Credit Line
- Museum Collection Fund
- Rights Statement
- Creative Commons-BY
- Museum Location
- This item is not on view
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